On Monday morning, a 73-year-old man was arrested by local police for allegedly shooting a neighbor and starting a fire that consumed a four-story apartment complex in Miami.
Juan Francisco Figueroa is facing several charges which include attempted murder, first-degree arson, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use of a firearm while committing a felony.
Currently, he is being detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
During a hearing on Tuesday morning, a judge ordered him to be held without bond.
Around 50 residents were forced to evacuate due to a fire that broke out. It took the coordinated efforts of 126 firefighters from multiple fire stations to control and ultimately extinguish the flames.
At approximately 8:15 a.m. EDT on Monday, the firehouses received an alert.
As the fire raged on, thick smoke and flames engulfed the third floor and quickly spread to other areas of the building. In a heroic effort, firefighters rescued approximately 40 individuals from the treacherous blaze.
Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez informed Local 10 News that while some firefighters were aggressively attacking the fire by extending hose lines into the structure, other crews were busy rescuing victims from their units.
Sanchez reported that numerous residents were saved from their apartments, with some even being rescued from their balconies.
Located near downtown Miami, the apartment building can be found at 431 NW Third St.
Fedor Biotte, who was shot by Figueroa while on the third floor of the apartment building where Figueroa resided, survived the incident.
According to police reports, burn marks were discovered on Figueroa’s hands, and a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver with ammunition was found in his car.
On Monday afternoon, Figueroa was arrested by the police after they discovered him driving a maroon-colored Honda Accord in the vicinity.
In the 1990s, Figueroa faced a murder conviction that resulted in almost eight years of imprisonment.
Local police arrested him twice, once for two aggravated assault and battery offenses and another time for burglarizing an unoccupied structure.
